Money for study into improving key Dumfries and Galloway route may be less than half as much as thought

The money available for a feasibility study into improving the A75 may be less than half as much as originally thought.

It was thought when UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt included cash for the report in his autumn statement, the allocated amount was £5 million.

And the figure was recently re-iterated by Scottish Secretary and Dumfries and Galloway MP Alister Jack.

However, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has told Holyrood he is seeking “clarity” on the figure and indicated it may only be £2 million.

Upgrading the Euroroute and the A77 features in the Scottish Government’s second strategic transport review (STPR2) as it bids to improve access to the port at Cairnryan.

And the need for A75 upgrades also features in the UK Government’s Union Connectivity Review, despite roads being a devolved matter.

Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson mentioned the £5 million figure during a debate on STPR2.

And he asked Mr Matheson: “Will the cabinet secretary put his constitutional grievance to one side, if he is capable of doing that? No one in Galloway cares where the money comes from.

“When will the residents of Crocketford and Springholm be able to sleep safely in their beds, and when will they get the bypass? If the cabinet secretary wants to be honest and serious about delivering, he should tell us now when it will happen.”

Mr Matheson responded: “I am not entirely sure whether that £5 million figure is entirely correct, from the engagement that we have been having with the UK Government.

“It turns out that that so-called £5 million is £2 million – potentially £2 million – and that what it is to be used for is dependent on some feasibility work.

“Therefore, it is important that we are accurate and that there is honesty around this matter.

“I am correcting the member because his figure is not correct, from the engagement that my colleague Jenny Gilruth (Scotland’s Transport Minister) has had with the UK Government on the issue. We are seeking further clarity on that.”

Two South Scotland MSPs – Labour’s Colin Smyth and the SNP’s Emma Harper – asked Mr Matheson when he expected work on improving the A75 and A77 to begin.

He said he hoped to have published a delivery plan by now but “the budget process was delayed by the UK Government, and that had a direct impact on our budgetary preparation process, which then had an impact on our being able to take forward our delivery plan”.